Monaghan blew away Donegal in the last quarter of this Division One National League encounter at Clones.
Before that it had been 0-11 each in what was a very nip-and-tuck encounter.
By Charlie Collins and Evan Logan in Clones
But the home side put on the burners and managed to score 1-8 compared to Donegal’s 0-4 in the final 20 minutes of this tussle.
Monaghan came into the game with nothing to show for their first two outings while Donegal were looking to build on their opening day victory over Kerry followed by their defeat to Tyrone.
Caolan McGonagle gave Donegal an early lead but two quick long range frees from Rory Beggan had Monaghan in the lead in the 4th minute.
Michael Langan replied and then Jack McCarron and Oisín Gallen exchanged points to leave it at 0-3 apiece.
Donegal’s Caolan McColgan looks for a way out of trouble during Sunday’s game. Photo Evan Logan
As play swung from end to end both teams were creating chances and Donegal were next to add another two quick points from Michael Langan’s long range effort and Jamie Brennan with what was a goal chance but just flew over.
Back came Monaghan with points from Shane Carey and Jack McCann to level it at 0-05 each in the 24th minute .
The home team then created a great goal chance when Michael Bannigan burst through and set-up Shane Carey who looked certain to palm the ball to the net but a combination of several Donegal defenders somehow blocked it and a rebound off a Monaghan forward flew wide.
Jack McCarron converted a free but points from Daire O Boaill from play and a Oisín Gallen free had Donegal ahead again in the 31st minute at 0-07 to 0-06 and that’s how it remained until half-time.
Donegal’s Daire O’Baoill looks for options during Sunday’s game. Photo Evan Logan
Stephen 0 Hanlon and Jack McCarron pointed early for Monaghan and in between Oisín Gallen scored a cracker to leave it 0-08 apiece.
Donegal then scored three of the game’s next four points , Conor O Donnell , Oisín Gallen and Micheal Langan all scoring with a lone reply from Jack McCarron’s free and Donegal led by two , 0-11 to 0-09.
Monaghan responded with six in a row , Conor McCarthy , Bannigan , Stephen O Hanlon, Sean Jones and two from McCarron and they led by four , 0-15 to 0-11.
At 0-11 apiece Donegal had a great goal chance when Micheal Langan sent Jamie Brennan through, the angle was tight but the Bundoran man’s shot crashed off the crossbar and Monaghan took advantage of the let-off to boss the game after that.
Conor McCarthy, sub Conor McManus with two, brought them up to 0-18 , while two from Conor O Donnell and one each from Oisín Gallen and Micheal Langan were all Donegal had to show in the latter stages as their challenge faded.
Donegal’s Jamie Brennan breaks for goal under pressure from Monaghan’s Jack McCarron during Sunday’s game. Photo Evan Logan
Sub Sean Jones put the icing on the cake for Monaghan with a late goal and point and captain Kieran Duffy came forward to finish the scoring at 1-20 to 0-15 and Monaghan’s first league win of the season .
Monaghan ; Rory Beggan ( 0-02f’s), Thomas McPhillips , Kieran Duffy (0-01), Ryan Wylie , Conor Boyle , Dessie Ward , Darren Hughes , Killian Lavelle, Gary Mohan, Stephen O Hanlon ( 0-03), Michael Bannigan (0-01 ), Conor McCarthy (0-01), Shane Carey (0-01) Karl Gallagher , Jack McCarron ( 0-07/4f’s), Subs ; Colm Lennon for Lavelle ( 20mins), Sean Jones (1-02), for Carey (50mins), Karl O Connell for Lennon (60mins ), Conor McManus ( 0-02f’s) for McCarron ( 55mins ), Aaron Mulligan for McCarthy (65mins ).
Donegal ; Shaun Patton , Mark Curran , Brendan McCole , Caolan Ward , Caolan McColgan , Stephen McMenamin , Eoghan Ban Gallagher , Caolan McGonagle (0-01), Jason McGee , Michael Langan ( 0-04 ), Daire O Boaill ( 0-01), Conor O Donnell ( 0-03), Hugh McFadden , Oisín Gallen ( 0-05/4f’s), Jamie Brennan ( 0-01). Subs ; Peadar Mogan for McColgan ( 45mins ), Luke McGlynn for Ward ( 59mins), Rory O Donnell for McFadden (65mins). Johnny McGroddy for McGee ( 70mins).
Referee ; Norl Mooney ( Cavan ).
Donegal’s Oisin Gallen sets up a first half attack during Sunday’s game. Photo Evan Logan
